Injector



July 4, 1950 H. A. B'ospNET'ro ETAL INJECTCR 2SiTee"bs-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 Illa/127,?

INVEN TORS. ZEMPYA. BOSONHTO & MAW/WAN HEM/MN BY M;

T ORNE K y 1950 H. A. BOSONETTO ET AL 2,513,622

INJECTOR Filed 6, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS fiF/WBYABOMWM & wmMA/v/MMM BY A 4944 J ATTORNEY.

use conditions are encountered,

Patented July 4, 1950 INJECTOR Henry A. Bosonetto and William Norman Hedeman, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to National Lead Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 6, 1946,.Serial No. 714,578

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in injectors and in its embodiment, is preferably of the vertical type, as it provides for the unitary assembly therewith of a single valve gear for plural valve control, respectively for the water and steam admission into the injector and the application of means for a manual control of the injector overflow valve. The injector is particularly adaptable for locomotive service, in which as climatic normal Water supply temperature variations, which may effect its efficiency in one territory over that in another, limiting its utility and preventing standardization in dimensional structure for the same capacity. Likewise its adaptability to readily convert the same from what may be termed an automatic overflow type to manually operated overflow, or vice versa is also an important factor. An object of the invention is to provide an injector having its inlet and outlet spouts in symmetric arrangement and relatively extending from opposite sides of the injector body and for the vertical type with the steam and water inlets at the head end and the outlets, overflow and delivery, at the base of the body, to facilitate in making the necessary installation connections, conduit and control, simplifying the injector in detail of construction and an expediency in its assembly as well as increasing its efficiency.

The steam and water inlet passages at the head end of the injector body are arranged in alignment transversely of the body which provides for locating their respective control valves with their stems projecting in parallelism from the top of the body adapting the same to be operated by a single lever actuated control gear, functioning to initially open one valve in advance of the other and subsequently move the same in unison to facilitate the starting control.

The water overflow discharge and delivery passages at the base of the injector body are also arranged to respectively discharge from relative opposite sides of the body and as the valve for the overflow discharge control is adapted to be actuated and held seated under pressure governed by the open and closing movements of a check valve in the delivery passage, the companion positioning and relative location provides for makin a simple and direct pressure conveying connection therewith, to the eliminacates the injector structure and causes sluggishness in the automatic control.

It also provides for an appropriate location of the overflow discharge communication with the overflow chamber concentric about the condensing tubes of the injector so that the discharge flow is not counter or repulsive to the flow of the fluid in the overflow chamber and through the tubes at periods when freedom to overflow discharge is imperative.

In starting, water entering the injector must have a ready outlet to permit the surplus water to escape until the combined steam and water attains sufficient velocity to enter the boiler, as otherwise a back pressure would be developed which would disrupt the continuity of the jet and prevent a prompt starting of the injector. A disruption of the jet may also occur after the injector is in operation as if for any reason the water supply should be temporarily interrupted. It is essential for an automatic restart that the water is free to pass out through the overflow.

Another object is to provide the overflow valve with pressure actuated means toautomatically closeand positivelyhold the same seated during the normal operation of the injector, the control governed by the operating movements of a check valve in the delivery passage of the injector connected with the boiler, the check valve closing and held closed when the boiler pressure exceeds that in the delivery chamber of the injector and opens under a reverse pressure condition. The closing and holding pressure upon the overflow valve is instantly released or cut off upon'the closing of the check valve so as to be non-interfering to the opening of the overflow valve when the water supply to the injector is interrupted, and the pressure in the delivery chamber is below that in the boiler.

Another object is to provide means for either manually or automatically closing the overflow, automatically by fluid pressure acting upon a plunger as a component of the overflow valve and slidably mounted upon a stem centrally projecting from the overflow valve as a guiding support therefor and thereby provide a mechanism simple in construction, dependable in operation, and non-interfering to the operation of the valve when the plunger actuating pressure is out 01f.

Another and principal object is to improve the effectiveness of the steam nozzle over the conventional form heretofore employed to obtain a higher velocity of steam issuingfrom the nozzle. This is the result of a longer travel of 'the'steam through the nozzle and the expanse in its travel to the end of the'nozzle in contrast to its contraction in its passage through the nozzle.

3 The property of steam to expandis due to the release of the internal energy inherent within the steam itself. The increased velocity of the steam provides more energy to drive the water into the boiler. Thus less steam can be used to deliver a given quantity of water and constitutes a direct increase in operating efiiciency. The end of the steam nozzle is positioned to locate the same within the first opening or spillway at the head or receiving end of the combining tubes of the injector and Within an auxiliary chamber in direct connection with the incoming water, producing a greater vacuum in the auxiliary chamber. The increased vacuum increases the capacity and maintains a more I constant volume of water delivered to the locomotive boiler.

A prime advantage is in its operation over a wide range of steam pressures, to permit the in-,

jector to be applied to locomotives of high or low steam pressures with no changes in steam nozzle as is necessary with the conventional nozzle, and

a further advantage of operating the injector at elevated feedwater temperatures, eliminating the making of changes for locomotives operating in relatively different territories wherein climatic conditions materially affect the temperature of the normal water supply in a more constant delivery capacity regardless of varying steam pressure, feedwater temperatures, or .changing feedwater head.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth and apparent from the following description of the drawings accompanied herewith in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through the improved injector.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged-section through the delivery spout.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. a is a vertical sectionthrough the overflow spout and overflow valve therein and also through the water intake passage of the injector-illustrat- .ing an application of means for manually operating and controlling the overflow valve.

Referring to the drawings, l indicates the injector body having a'snout to provide a steam inlet passage 2, leading laterally and angularly upward from one side of the upper or head end of the body and a second-snout for a water inlet passage 3, leading laterally and angularly down-. ward from the opposite side of the upper end of the body and the terminals of passages lie in a common plane cross-wise of the head end of the body. The inner ends of the-steam and water inlet passages are separated by spaced partition Walls, the spacing being open to the atmosphere at both ends, providing a passage for radiating heat and thereby prevent the head of the steam in the inlet passage 2, from affecting the temperature of the water in the inlet passage 3. The terminals of both steam and water inlet passages are thus immediately above and communicate with a chamber 4, horizontally co-extensive of said passage terminals, adapting their ports and respective controlling valves to be arranged in jux-' ta-position at the head end of the body.

A nozzle 5 is fixed to and traverses a septum 6, as the division wall for the chamber 4, and steam and water inlet terminals, with its upper end Within the steam passage 2 formed to cooperate with and provide a seat for a valve 1, removably fixed upon the end of a stem or rod 8 extending vertically through a bonnet 9 mounted upon the head end of the body. A port lil, through the septum 6 communicatively connects the water inlet terminal of the passage 3 with the chamber 4 and is controlled by a valve H removably connected upon an end of a stem or rod I 2, extending vertically through a bonnet 13 mounted upon the head of the injector body. Thestems 8 and I2 respectively for the steam and water controlling valves '5 and i l are thus in parallelism for a controlling connection with a single valve gear. The bonnets 9 and 53, each respectively, includes a stuffing box for making a sealing joint with the valve stem projecting therethrough.

The upper ends of the valve stems 8 and I2 hingedly connect with a valve gear in principle following and including the features of the single valve gear for a plural valve control as disclosed in U; S. Letters Patent No. 2,314,842, issued March 23, 1943. The valve gear provides for an injector starting control, to open one valve in advance of the other and then continuing to operate both valves in unison 'to their full open position through the manipulation of a single control lever and operating means.

Each valve stem 8 and I2, respectively, is hingedly or pivotally connected to a lever HLeXtending transversely thereof, the lever having its rear end pivotally connected to one end of a link, or a pair of links l5, in companion relation, with the opposite ends of the links pivotally connected to an ear projecting from the upper side or-head 01" the body.

The levers HI, IA, for both of the valves are directed to extend toward each other with their forward ends crossing or in adjacent overlap and project through a saddle or clevis l6 connected within a guide yoke l9 having a shank extending therefrom vertically, slidably mounted within a hub I8, integral with and extending upward from the head of the injectorbody. The levers are engaged at their lower edges, respectively, by relatively steppededges, to sequentially move the levers in an initial stage in. an upward stroke of the yoke, thereby providing a lag in the opening movements of one of the levers, before imparting unitary movement to both levers. This permits the water supply controlling valve to be partially opened in advance of the steam valve. The upper edges of the levers contact with a cross pin 20 fixed to and transversely within the clevis [6. As each lever, at its outer end pivotally connects at its upper end with the companion links I5 compensatory action is provided for the arc of movement of the lever in valve control. The lever l4 in its upward swing to elevate or open the valve swings the link or links 15 inwardly, while a reverse action is instituted in the closing movement of the valve. The yoke hingedly connects with a rod for connection with a single hand operated lever or operating means remote from injector.

An attendant can therefore control one valve in advance of the second and the duration of such initial advance opening as may be required and conversely each valve can be securely seated without interference. The steam valve in closing can be moved independently under the influence of the steam pressure.

The steam nozzle 5, is coaxial with the combining and. condensing tubes or nozzles 2!, 22 and 23 and the delivery nozzle 24 and carries a jet nozzle 25 concentrically thereabout, terminating within the intake chamber 4. The bore of the jet nozzle, following the generalpractice, is of reversely tapering' or Venturi form axially and its terminalis 5 spaced from the-expandedaand tapering water. intake end of the combiningtube or'nozzle. 2! com-.- municating with-said intake-chamber 4:.

The bore of the 'steam nozzlei expandingly tapers toward its: discharge end and; terminates intermediate of an opening-through the condensing nozzle 2| which"cmmimicateswith -.a vacuum chamber '26 immediately :beneathtthe water intake chamberlandwith whichchamber 25 is in uncontrolledcommunication: throughaa lateralpassage'fl open to the base of the chamher-4. Overflow openings- 29 are. providedubetween the combining and condensing-tubes 2.1, 22, 23, :which communicate with an overflow chamber 36, formed-by the tubular shank :pol'lilQn of theinjector body about thetztubes with the upper end of the'overflow chamberclosedzbys-zan annular flange 3| peripherally extendingifrom the tube 2| The upper end of the :overflow chamber -"3ll communicates with the 'water intake chamber 4 through a valve controlled passage's3'2. The'passage 32 is controlled bya valve' 33 slidablewithin asap &4 engaged into and removably' secured to the injector body, the cap being accessible from the exterior of the injectorabody.

The base or lower end of the injector body diverges outwardly providing opposinglyedirected spouts, one for an overflowdischarge passage 35 atthe base ofthe-overfiow chamber -.'30'-and an injector delivery chamber 36. Thepassage 35 and chamber 36 are divided by apartition or septum 31 through which the delivery tube or nozzle 24 projects and .is removably secured thereto.

A cap 38 seals an openingthroughthe base of the body, axially of the delivery'tube 24 providing for the insertion and removal of the combining and delivery tubes as a. unit from the base end of the injector body.

The overflow discharge passage35is subdivided bya partition or septum '39 having auport therethrough controlled by an overflow-valve 40. The overflow valve has a stem= 4| projecting therefrom telescopically engaged within one end of arplunger 42, slidably extendingfthrough a stuffing box-'43 annularly flanged to a seat and' secure the same upon a collar at the upper side 'of the spout. lihe plunger can be pressure-actuatcd for an automatic control of the-overflow valve. "The stuffing box has a cylindrical 'cap -44 and in assembly therewith is :bolted to the spout. The cap 44 provides a guiding support "or bearing for-a shankof the plunger' "42- and -also aychamber:45.;which is-in communication throughaconduit 46 (shown in dotted line, Fig. 2) :with the delivery chamber 35, the .communication being valve controlled. The stem oftheoverflow valve has a duct axially therethrough, as a vent to prevent pocketing of pressure interfering-to its freedom of action within the bore in the plunger at the headend of the stem ofv the overflow valve,

which principle is similarly embodicd'for the vided with an annular shoulder for a. union there-v with-in the opening movement of the check-valve and releasable therefrom in the closing movement .for'relative. independent action. The valve 5 is slidablewithin a 'bore centrally "through screw plug or nut 52, asra removable fitting the delivery spoutfor a controlled communication of the delivery chamber and the duct of the conduit. 46 to automatically control the overflow valve. 1

When the delivery check valve. opens, it: lifts a: piston valve 5%, permitting fluid pressure'to flow from the delivery chamber through the duct 46 into the chamber 455 within thebonnet of the overflow valve depressing the plunger 4.2 and correspondingly the overflow valve to forcibly holdtit to. its seat, closing the overflow passage. When the pressure in the .boiler exceeds that in the delivery chamber of the injector, the delivery check closes whereupon correspondingly the piston valve 5i descends closing communication between the delivery chamberand conduit 46 to the relief of the overflow valve so that it can be. unscated by the normal pressure in the overflow passage. The closing of the check valve results from a reduction of the pressure in'the delivery chamber, as by jet propulsion, and when this occurs the pressure in the conduit-4B and chamber 45 is relieved sufliciently to permit the :piston valve 5| to drop of its own weight. Unless thesteam supply is cut off, thepressure in the overflow chamber against the enlarged areancf the overflow valve over that of the head end of the plunger 42 will open the overflow valve carrying the plunger 42 therewith, there fore the pressure in the chamber 45 is further relieved to insure movement of the piston valve 5| to its full closure position with its head end "in seating shouldered contact with the sleeve 49 of the delivery check valve 4?. Reversely when the delivery check valve opens the overflow valve is sea-ted and held so under pressure. The piston valveJEl while moving simultaneously with-the delivery valve provides for a time relapse before opening to @admit pressure into the c0nduit-46 and avoid control of the overflow valve disturbing to a'satisfactory functioning ofthe injector.

"The provisioning of injector having a feed linecheck and overflow valve so arranged that the overflow valve will be automatically controlled through the medium of the feed line'che'ck is a well recognized feature in locomotive injectors although in the efforts heretofore contemplated to produce the results it has been experienced that the methods employed were not dependable, particularly if of a complicated char acter and including the use of spring. The overnow valve normally is arranged to seat under itsownweight and no auxiliary load is imposed thereon as generally instituted by a spring'and which also adds resistance in a closing operation of the overflow valve by the pressure from the delivery t chamber.

The spring elimination permits the simplification of the pressure actuated means for an automatic closing control of the overflow valve and without any change in detail it provides for readily applying thereto mechanism :fora manual closingcontrol of the overflow valve. This standardizesthe construction of the injector sothat it can be employed for difi'erent uses and methods of-control. This also followsfor the delivery check valve, as it is merely necessary to addror remove the means for automatic pressure controlof the overflow valve,'asthe piston 5i can be readily either added or removed from the delivery check valve and a solid plug substituted for the sleeve nut 52.

In the present instance, the delivery check valve and pressure controlling valve for the automatic'control of the overflow valve are embodied in unit'assembly in the delivery snout of the injector body, compact and simple in structure. This also applies to the overflow valve and its pressure operating means. The elements of the delivery check valve are in a vertical position permitting the valves to move to a closed position by gravity.

The overflow valve is positioned that connection can'be readily made therewith as will be hereinafter described for a manual control of the same without change in structure and when the manually operated means is moved to a valve open controlling position the automatic pressure closing control is effective.

A manual control mechanism for the overflow valve; as illustrated in Fig. 4, comprises a spindle 53,- which traverses and is in screw-threaded connection with a bonnet 54, substituted for the cylindrical cap 44. The forward end of the spindle 53 is telescopically engaged over the stem or shank of the plunger 42. Thus when the spindle is screwed downward, its head end abuttingly contacts and bears upon the head of the plunger, moving the plunger and correspondingly-the overflow valve to seat and hold the same closed. For an opening control of the overflow valve, the spindle is retracted, which releases the overflow valve and its plunger for the valve to be opened by the pressure within the overflow chamber and automatically seated and held closed by the pressure from the delivery chamber.

The upper end of the spindle is clamped to a universal joint 55, which in turn connects with an end of an extension rod 56 slidably traversing a tubular casing 51 diametrically extending through and fixed to the snout providing the intake passage 3, thereby guidingly and slidably sustaining the extension rod 55. It is obvious that the extension rod could be formed to bypass the snout, although the method shown gives stability to the link structure. The opposite or upper end of the extension rod 56, connects with a universal joint 58 which is joined to a connecting rod, leading to a remote point, as within the cab of a locomotive for connection with a hand lever in a conventional manner.

The operation of the injector is as follows:

In starting the injector, the valve gear can be actuated, which initially may be of a slight degree, to open the water controlled valve II in advance of the steam valve 1 and such relative valve control can be held for a determined period or duration to meet particular requirements and therefore variable, depending upon the condition in which the water is supplied to the injector and for appropriately supplying the injector in advance of admitting the steam, Whereupon with a continued movement of the valve gear both valves are moved in unison to the full open position.

In-starting, as the boiler pressure exceeds the pressure within the injector, the delivery check valve 41 under the boiler pressure will be held closed to the relief of admitting any pressure from the delivery chamber to influence the overflow valve 40. With the admission of steam and water into, the injector the overflow valve by the pressure of the incomingwater and steam 82 is opened to allow the escape of water and steam from the injector without interference until a jet of sufiicientwvelocity. and pressure is established to openthe delivery check valve. The steam nozzle 5 being in direct communication with combining tubes, has its bore of expanding form to its discharge end, which provides for the steam issuing therefrom to beef higher velocity as i-t'is permitted to expand in its flow through this nozzle.

The end of the steam nozzle being located so that it is in line with the first overflow open-.

ing or spillway for communication with the chamber 26 in direct connection with the water intake chamber 4'and non-communicative with the overflow chamber a greater vacuum can be produced therein as non-disturbing by any action inthe overflow chamber so the water delivery.

capacity is increased and maintained more constant. Until a jet of suflicient velocity has been established through the combining tube and delivery nozzle and pressure to open the delivery check valve, the surplus steam and water escaping through the overflow openings 29 into the overflow chamber 3!! the overflow valve is free to be maintained open by the pressure of the escaping fluid for its discharge. Upon the development of suflicient: pressure in the delivery chamber to overcome the boiler pressure the delivery check valve will be opened, elevating the control valve 5| to admit pressure into the chamber 45 above the overflow valve acting upon and compressively seating the overflow valve and holding the same seated until there is no disturbance in the injector operation effecting the closing of the delivery check valve.

-The expanding form of steam nozzle and provision of an auxiliary vacuum chamber at the receiving-end of the combining tubes provides a more constant delivery capacity regardless of variation in steam pressure and feed-water temperature so that interruption to the injector operation is reduced. In the operation of the injector when a vacuum exists in the overflow chamber and developed to a certain degree, the relief valve 33 controlling communication between the chamber 4 and overflow chamber through the passage 32 will be elevated permitting an increased water supply from chamber 4 to enter the overflow chamber to entrain with the jet through the spillways 29 of the' combining tube. The relief valve being of tubular form afiords communication with the chamber at the head end of the valve so that the vacuum will lift and unseat the valve for admitting a water supply from the chamber 4 into the overflow chamber.

The entire detail of construction of the injector has been simplified and its durability and service materially increased.

We claim: I

1. In an injector, a body having a water intake chamber, a water and steam combining and delivery tube within and longitudinally of the body with the intake end of the combining tube in communication with the water intake chamber, the tube spaced from the body the spacing providing an overflow chamber in communication at intervals with the bore of the tube, a steam jet nozzle and steam nozzle concentrically combined and coaxial with the bore of the combining tube, the jet nozzle terminating within said intake chamber and the steam nozzle extending into said combiningtube, a chamber intermediate of said intake and overflow chambers in communication with the intake chamber and with the bore of the combining tube through a spillway opening in the tube and said steam nozzle terminating within the area of the spillway opening, a relief duct connecting said overflow chamber with said water intake chamber, and a vacuum actuated valve interposed in said relief duct unseated when a vacuum exists in the overflow chamber.

2. In an injector, a body having a water intake chamber, a Water and steam combining tube within and longitudinally of the body with its intake end in communication with the water intake chamber, the tube spaced from the body, the spacing providing an overflow chamber in communication at intervals with the bore of the tube, a steam nozzle concentrically extending into the head end of the combining tube having its bore expandingly tapering to its discharge end, a chamber intermediate said intake and overflow chambers traversed by the combining tube in communication with the bore of the combining REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 384,666 Young et a1 June 19, 1888 978,000 Brooke Dec. 6, 1910 1,073,602 Grantland Sept. 23, 1913 1,743,684 Pedrick Jan. 14, 1930 2,012,348 Pedrick Aug. 27, 1935 2,032,674 Walch Mar. 3, 1936 2,314,842 Hedeman Mar. 23, 1943 

